Florida resident / ADR's

[dustysky]

Does anyone else wish that Disney would take into consideration that those of us who live close and don't have to plan our vacations months and years out would also like to be able to get seats at a restaurant.

Most of the time our trips are planned with less then a weeks notice, we go up for a weekend, enjoy our Florida resident "perk" then head home.

It just frustrates me that they let ADR's fill the restaurants to capacity and they leave some of us out by doing so.

 

[NoNotMe]

I do wish a few seats could be hold for Florida residents. I live 25 minutes northwest of the parks and it is almost impossible for us to go to dinner at the last minute anymore.

 

[BillSears]

I wish a few tables could be saved for all walkups. I remember the old days when you could walk up to almost anywhere and get seated.

 

[The Sweetness]

I dont think that would be fair, for me to have special priv over someone else just b/c I drove up instead of having to fly. I do, however, wish I could reserve dining at any time, as long as I had a room reserved.

 

[Deb loves Disney]

I live so close that it takes me only 10-15 min to get to Disney and only that long because of traffic. I find it almost impossible to get ADR's when I want them. Like you I don't plan my trips way ahead because we have annual passes and can go pretty much whenever.
I find myself planning way ahead if I want to do something special like a birthday or anniversary, but if I am going to the parks without planning I normally either plan it so we don't eat there, get CS meals or usually save the money for good treats like dole whips, or dessert at one of the countries in Epcot.

 

[Brianne]

It would be nice. Don't they still offer the Epcot After 5 pass for residents? I haven't looked because we're just far enough away to make popping in there for dinner a bit difficult; however, if I had that pass, I'd be pretty upset considering the whole point of that pass is to go there for dinner.

There's no perfect solution, other than avoiding the parks completely during the free dining campaign.

 

[crisi]

Personally, I'd like to see the number of people that can sign up for the dining plan capped. When EVERYONE is on the dining plan they simply don't have enough seats for everyone....not even to meet their obligation to feed people. Let the dining plan "sell out" -

 

[Luv2Roam]

It really doesn't bother me at all.
If I have a specific restaurant I want, I just know I have to book around two weeks in advance at the latest.
If I can't get one, I know there are plenty of others that are good too.
I can go most anytime with some planning, or even eat off site. I rather have those that can only come occasionally have the ADR. It means a lot more to them than me.

 

[dustysky]

It really doesn't bother me at all.
If I have a specific restaurant I want, I just know I have to book around two weeks in advance at the latest.

that was my whole point, I never start planning a trip 2 weeks in advance.

It means a lot more to them than me.

I will have to tell my 5 year old that eating with Mickey means more to "others" then her.... simply because they live farther away.

 

[dustysky]

Personally, I'd like to see the number of people that can sign up for the dining plan capped. When EVERYONE is on the dining plan they simply don't have enough seats for everyone....not even to meet their obligation to feed people. Let the dining plan "sell out" -

That would be a great idea.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I just don't think being a FL resident should mean either they receive better or less treatment than any others.
I use to be one of those who traveled half across the country and shelled out some big bucks for a Disney vacation.
For me, it is no big deal. I don't think esp being a FL resident needing to make an ADR in a few weeks time is being unreasonable.
Sometimes two weeks would not even matter. Some need to be booked much further out. But many FL residents have a better chance of visiting often, more so than someone from 1,000+ miles away.
For me, there are too many good places to eat (off site and on) and places to go when you know the area to be upset about not having a specific place to eat at a certain time.
Recently I tried booked the laua a few weeks out. Nothing available. Instead I booked for August. June -- August. Makes no difference to me. Easy for me to say I know, since I live only a 30 minute drive away.

 

[lillygator]

I just don't think being a FL resident should mean either they receive better or less treatment than any others.
I use to be one of those who traveled half across the country and shelled out some big bucks for a Disney vacation.

Are you implying that coming in from another state and the varying price levels mean you should receive more?

Personally I will always maintain that Florida resident perks need to be kept. I doubt that will spill into ADR's but living here and dealing with a very tourist state...well....

 

[Luv2Roam]

No, not at all. I am just saying for me personally, it is not that big of a deal whether I eat at a certain place one day as opposed to some other day.
I think AP-ers should get more perks.
And I would like for a set number of tables to be set aside for walk ups.
But hey, no one asks me.

Maybe that is the difference. I like living here. I don't feel like I dealing with anyone.

 

[Mariposa]

I will have to tell my 5 year old that eating with Mickey means more to "others" then her.... simply because they live farther away.

Seriously, no one even came close to saying that. Although, when the people who live 2000 miles away can only come once every 3 years because of the expense and you have the luxury of just popping over for the day.. then yeah, I don't think it's too much to expect you to plan for and make an ADR just like everyone else.. Especially if it's that important that you get to eat with Mickey. I know I sound rude, but I don't mean it that way- it was just off-putting to me that you seemed to make the assumption that people who have to plan their trips far in advance think they're more important than you?

I have a friend who lives in southern GA, closer to WDW than we do, goes more often than us, and yet is not eligible for the perks we get. She has to hope she can grab an AP code, AND has to pay considerably more for her APs than we pay for our FL Res Seasonal APs.. so, IMHO, we get plenty of perks.

Although, I am of the opinion that they should hold tables for walk-ups, too.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It just frustrates me that they let ADR's fill the restaurants to capacity and they leave some of us out by doing so.

1) Such is life.
2) I life 15-minutes away and have to make ADR's.
3) I can even make my own and don't get special treatment.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I am a Florida Resident and am fortunate to visit WDW a few times a year. I do think the ADR is fair the way it is, if a place I would like to eat at is booked I go to plan B and try for the first place the next time I visit.

I think resort guests should have first pick on ADR before off site guests, I think FL should get a dining discount without having to purchase the DDE.

With the introduction to DDP and the free dining for August and Sept it has really booked up the restaurants.

On another note, I just called the other day to confirm ressies for October and got all the places and times I wanted, was it luck?? That was only 120 days in advance and I still got in and all ressies were for character meals on a weekend with MNSSHP going on.

 

[lillygator]

I have to add, we have made quite a few last minutre day trips and smaller weekend trips that we decided within 5 days of going and for each one I was always able to secure TS meals....not always my first, second or third choice but we have at least been able to sit down and be served. We just decided to go for fourth of July weekend and I was able to secure all my TS choices (done on Friday) I know that's still a few weeks away but I thought it was great considering its a holiday weekend. I haven't done my Dec ones yet...I need to get on it!